Accusing the Congress of “ignoring” him, Hardik advised The Indian Express: “My position in the party is that of a newly married groom who has been made to undergo nasbandi (vasectomy).” He additionally questioned the Congress “delay” on taking a name on Khodaldham belief president and highly effective Patidar chief Naresh Patel, who’s being wooed by all events within the state, suggesting that it was an insult to your entire group.
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“I am not invited to any of the meetings of the PCC, they don’t consult me before taking any decisions, then what is the point of this post?” Hardik stated. “Recently they announced 75 new general secretaries and 25 new vice-presidents, did they even consult me, that Hardik bhai, do you think there is any strong leader missing from the list?”
Inducted into the Congress by Rahul Gandhi himself, because the celebrated younger Patidar face who had led a profitable agitation in opposition to the Gujarat authorities earlier than the final elections, and made the working president in 2020, Hardik has earlier too expressed his frustration over not being given a the distinguished position within the celebration.
Hardik warned the Congress that the celebration had put up a great efficiency within the 2015 native physique and 2017 Assembly polls because of the Patidar agitation. The Congress had received 77 seats within the 182-member House in 2017.
“But what happened after that?” Hardik stated. “Many in the Congress feel that Hardik was not properly utilized by the party.” He stated it may be as a result of individuals felt threatened by him within the celebration.
On Naresh Patel, Hardik stated: “I’m seeing on TV that the Congress needs to induct Naresh Patel for the 2022 polls. I hope they don’t seek for a brand new Patel for the 2027 elections. Why does the celebration not use the individuals it already has?”
Gujarat Congress president Jagdish Thakor stated he would converse with Hardik concerning his remarks, whereas denying that the celebration was dithering over a call on Naresh Patel.
“Since day one, the Congress has been clear that be it Naresh Patel or another good chief in Gujarat, they’re most welcome within the celebration. Not a single chief of the Congress in Gujarat has given any public assertion suggesting Naresh Patel was not welcome. There has been no disrespect to any particular person or group. Naresh Patel has himself stated he would enter politics if his group permits him. He has been holding discussions with varied teams and the choice on becoming a member of the Congress is fully as much as him. Then how can the Congress disrespect him and his group?”
Speaking to The Indian Express, Hardik stated: “Recently, a delegation of Punjab Congress leaders together with their working president met Sonia Gandhi. Why does not the working president get related respect within the Gujarat Congress?”
On Naresh Patel, he stated the BJP “was aggressive and ready” when it got here to make choices corresponding to inducting leaders. “It has been two months since the talk of Naresh Patel (joining a party) has been going on, but the Congress has been unable to come to a decision. If you cannot respect a community, you have no right to insult it either.”
Hardik raised studies within the media quoting Congress leaders as saying “that Naresh Patel has made certain demands and conditions before joining the party”. “Naresh bhai has not made any such demands,” he stated.
Reitrating his need to contest the elections, Hardik, who was under the 25 age restrict through the 2017 polls, stated: “If I can work for the welfare of people without being in power, then with the affections of people, I can go to the Vidhan Sabha and do better work. I can make laws and work for the welfare of youth, farmers, women and villages of Gujarat.”
Hardik stated he wasn’t hankering for a submit. “My priority is to fight for the people of Gujarat, be it as working president or just a Congress worker.”
Hardik’s statements might harm the Congress at a time when it’s struggling to mount a problem to the BJP in Gujarat, at the same time as a resurgent Aam Aadmi Party is ready within the wings to take its area.
In July 2018, a Sessions Court at Visnagar had sentenced Hardik to 2 years’ imprisonment for rioting and arson through the 2015 Patidar quota stir. The Gujarat High Court gave him bail in August 2018. The Supreme Court has now stayed conviction within the case.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
